Help Save Weezie D. - COVID-19 Relief Fund
Donation protected
Welcome to our story..... #SaveWeezieD #SmallBusinessRelief News 12 Story Black Westchester May 7 Update
Weezie D. is the only minority owned local small business located in Bronxville, NY. For 15 years we have served the community with women's apparel and accessories. We are known for our warm service, community fundraisers and active mission for women empowerment, entrepreneurship, health and wellness. We are more than just a pretty store, we are a conscious retailer in the community. We have hosted countless fundraisers, donated to many of the local schools and have been a pillar in the community.
With the unforeseen arrival of the pandemic CoronaVirus (Covid-19) our business and most small businesses have been forced into an immediate crippling economic downfall with zero revenue in sight. On March 22 Governor Cuomo issued an executive order that all non-essential businesses have to close to help stop the spread of the virus. However retailers such as Weezie D. suffered weeks prior to the order.
Unfortunately, this pandemic came during an even more vulnerable time for Weezie D. as we have been trying to secure a new lease with our landlord for months. Conversations with the landlord and property management assured Weezie D. a new lease will be issued once we are able to catch up with arrears. However, on April 13, 2020 I received a call from property management stating the building in which Weezie D. is occupied has sold and my neighbor, another merchant is our new landlord and that he would be the one to discuss a new lease for Weezie D. On April 14th my new landlord (fellow merchant and neighbor) and I discussed in detail his plans not to kick out his tenants and that he would issue a new lease to Weezie D. once I'm able to catch up with my arrears. I shared with him that I'm waiting to hear back from all the SBA relief loans eagerly for relief to help cover rent and staff payroll. On April 29th, my landlords attorney sent me a past due notice. An additional correspondence from his attorney was sent April 30th with a termination of my tenancy and date to surrender possession of property on or before May 31, 2020. This goes against the Covid-19 executive order made by NYS Governor Cuomo.
**Ironically enough in 2008 my now landlord (fellow merchant and neighbor) approached me and asked if I would consider moving my business from 11 Park Place to 15 Park Place so he could expand his Bagel Shop into my space. Weezie D. moved and he expanded. 12 years later this is the same person kicking me out of my storefront in 30 days after building my business from the ground up for a total of 15 years. Not only has he been my neighbor and fellow merchant, but someone my staff, family I patronized over the years. I can't help but to feel shocked and devastated that people like this exist. The Mayor of Bronxville often says during these challenging weeks "We are in this Together" however that is certainly not my experience in Bronxville at this time.
As the only minority owned business in this community it is personally important to me that Black & Brown people have representation in all communities not just as the consumer but as business owners. This is not just about Weezie D. but saving quality businesses during unprecedented times. It takes a partnership between landlords, tenants & the community we serve to get businesses to the other side of a health & economic crisis. We cannot do this alone. We need help. We have done everything the government has asked of us, we applied for every loan & haven't received anything & now on top of our business being closed for weeks, we are now forced to pivot our attention to try to move our location at the most crippling time. Weezie D. will not survive without help. We are asking for the community to please STEP IN, anyway you can. We acknowledge everyone is hurting at this time but if there was ever a time we needed you most it would be Now.
Businesses pay rent with revenue generated by consumer sales. Non-Essential businesses have no revenue due to no fault of their own but because of the health crisis our world is in. Landlords have immediate bailouts by working with their mortgage companies to stop payments during this economic crisis. Where is our (non-essential businesses) immediate bailout? Food is running out in our homes! Gas is running out for these businesses! Mental Health is running out for business owners! How can businesses pay rent with no revenue? Where is the compassion, Where is "We are in this Together? Where is humanity?
Some of our gracious clients, which we call family, has asked us to develop a GoFundMe page to give them the option to donate to our relief efforts on a safe secure platform. Please also visit our online boutique here https://weezied.com/
As of May 7th, the landlord has withdrawn the 30 day notice to vacate. Please see Black Westchester's update in the link above. Weezie D. and all other non-essential businesses are still closed and continue to be in economic difficulties.
Update: Non Essential Businesses was able to reopen on mid-June, this included Weezie D.
Update: As of July 31, 2020, Weezie D. has vacated the location at 15 Park Place because we could not secure a new lease. We are currently looking to relocate within the community or close proximity.
Donations will help Weezie D. move into another location, overcome the loss of revenue, and help sustain employees.
We thank you for your countless encouraging sentiments and support during this very difficult time.
Wishing you good health and safety.
With much gratitude,
Louisa and Weezie D.
Weezie D. Online Boutique
Weezie D. is the only minority owned local small business located in Bronxville, NY. For 15 years we have served the community with women's apparel and accessories. We are known for our warm service, community fundraisers and active mission for women empowerment, entrepreneurship, health and wellness. We are more than just a pretty store, we are a conscious retailer in the community. We have hosted countless fundraisers, donated to many of the local schools and have been a pillar in the community.
With the unforeseen arrival of the pandemic CoronaVirus (Covid-19) our business and most small businesses have been forced into an immediate crippling economic downfall with zero revenue in sight. On March 22 Governor Cuomo issued an executive order that all non-essential businesses have to close to help stop the spread of the virus. However retailers such as Weezie D. suffered weeks prior to the order.
Unfortunately, this pandemic came during an even more vulnerable time for Weezie D. as we have been trying to secure a new lease with our landlord for months. Conversations with the landlord and property management assured Weezie D. a new lease will be issued once we are able to catch up with arrears. However, on April 13, 2020 I received a call from property management stating the building in which Weezie D. is occupied has sold and my neighbor, another merchant is our new landlord and that he would be the one to discuss a new lease for Weezie D. On April 14th my new landlord (fellow merchant and neighbor) and I discussed in detail his plans not to kick out his tenants and that he would issue a new lease to Weezie D. once I'm able to catch up with my arrears. I shared with him that I'm waiting to hear back from all the SBA relief loans eagerly for relief to help cover rent and staff payroll. On April 29th, my landlords attorney sent me a past due notice. An additional correspondence from his attorney was sent April 30th with a termination of my tenancy and date to surrender possession of property on or before May 31, 2020. This goes against the Covid-19 executive order made by NYS Governor Cuomo.
**Ironically enough in 2008 my now landlord (fellow merchant and neighbor) approached me and asked if I would consider moving my business from 11 Park Place to 15 Park Place so he could expand his Bagel Shop into my space. Weezie D. moved and he expanded. 12 years later this is the same person kicking me out of my storefront in 30 days after building my business from the ground up for a total of 15 years. Not only has he been my neighbor and fellow merchant, but someone my staff, family I patronized over the years. I can't help but to feel shocked and devastated that people like this exist. The Mayor of Bronxville often says during these challenging weeks "We are in this Together" however that is certainly not my experience in Bronxville at this time.
As the only minority owned business in this community it is personally important to me that Black & Brown people have representation in all communities not just as the consumer but as business owners. This is not just about Weezie D. but saving quality businesses during unprecedented times. It takes a partnership between landlords, tenants & the community we serve to get businesses to the other side of a health & economic crisis. We cannot do this alone. We need help. We have done everything the government has asked of us, we applied for every loan & haven't received anything & now on top of our business being closed for weeks, we are now forced to pivot our attention to try to move our location at the most crippling time. Weezie D. will not survive without help. We are asking for the community to please STEP IN, anyway you can. We acknowledge everyone is hurting at this time but if there was ever a time we needed you most it would be Now.
Businesses pay rent with revenue generated by consumer sales. Non-Essential businesses have no revenue due to no fault of their own but because of the health crisis our world is in. Landlords have immediate bailouts by working with their mortgage companies to stop payments during this economic crisis. Where is our (non-essential businesses) immediate bailout? Food is running out in our homes! Gas is running out for these businesses! Mental Health is running out for business owners! How can businesses pay rent with no revenue? Where is the compassion, Where is "We are in this Together? Where is humanity?
Some of our gracious clients, which we call family, has asked us to develop a GoFundMe page to give them the option to donate to our relief efforts on a safe secure platform. Please also visit our online boutique here https://weezied.com/
As of May 7th, the landlord has withdrawn the 30 day notice to vacate. Please see Black Westchester's update in the link above. Weezie D. and all other non-essential businesses are still closed and continue to be in economic difficulties.
Update: Non Essential Businesses was able to reopen on mid-June, this included Weezie D.
Update: As of July 31, 2020, Weezie D. has vacated the location at 15 Park Place because we could not secure a new lease. We are currently looking to relocate within the community or close proximity.
Donations will help Weezie D. move into another location, overcome the loss of revenue, and help sustain employees.
We thank you for your countless encouraging sentiments and support during this very difficult time.
Wishing you good health and safety.
With much gratitude,
Louisa and Weezie D.
Weezie D. Online Boutique
Organizer
Lo Mc
Organizer
Bronxville, NY
